2007 Los Angeles Angels Baseball Preview

For the Los Angeles Angels (89- 73), it has been primarily about
pitching. This year the team has added a bit more power, but the
focus is still on the mound.

The pitching staff is potent, having posted the third best team
ERA in the AL last year (.404). It includes Bartolo Colon (1-
5, 5.11 ERA), who was injured last season after winning the Cy
Young in 2005. John Lackey (13- 11, 3.56 ERA) may be the staff
ace, with Jared Weaver (11- 2, 2.56 ERA), Ervin Santana (16- 8,
4.28 ERA) and Kelvim Escobar (11- 14, 3.61 ERA) comprising one
of the toughest rotations in the league. Francisco Rodriguez (2-
3, 1.73 ERA, 47 SV) is a dominant closer and has some very fine
set-up men.

Mathews in center is a big upgrade defensively, while second
baseman Howie Kendrick has shown a lot of improvement and shortstop
Orlando Cabrera is as solid as anyone playing that position.

Mike Scioscia has guided this club to the World Series in 2002
and two division championships in 2004 and 2005. He does not,
for the first time in seven seasons, have pitching coach Bud Black,
who is now managing the Padres.

This is a team that was supposed to make some major improvements
in the hitting department but only made minimal moves. Still,
the fact is that the Angels are in a weak division, and they are
certainly good enough to play a major role once again.

For more info on Los Angeles check out the MLB website for the
Angels Clubhouse.

2007 MLB Preview

All 30 MLB teams are covered in our annual 2007
MLB season preview from Maddux Sports. We have broken down the teams
into the divisions the play in. To find the baseball preview of your
favorite team click on the division they play in and read up on our
division predictions as well as individual MLB team previews. Click
here to return to the current baseball preview page.